[Discuss-gnuradio] Alternative interface from PC to a USRP.

[Lamar Owen]

After a brainstorming session at PARI, I've come up with an alternative to 
either USB or GigE, with up to three times the throughput of GigE.

Ultra320 SCSI.

Pros:
1.)     Standard software interface from the Linux side (libscg like used for 
CD 
burners);
2.)     Scalable throughput with PCMCIA UltraWide SCSI available; any given 
SCSI 
device has to be able to scale from 5MB/s SCSI-1 up through the top end for 
the device; Ultra320 gives 320MB/s of throughput, potentially, which would 
increase our bandwidth ten times (three time faster than GigE) and would be a 
good fit for the chips involved.  The SCSI layer could even be done on an 
FPGA, since it's standard LVDS levels for LVD-SCSI.
3.)     Interface boards are available for any throughput range needed without 
changing any hardware at the USRP.  Need 10MB/s?  Get a $5 eBay special.  
Need the full rate?  get a 64-bit PCI-X U320 screamer.  
4.)     External and internal interfaces available.
5.)     Ability to process and redirect streams from one USRP to another one 
without CPU intervention over the SCSI bus.

Comments?
-- 
Lamar Owen
Director of Information Technology
Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute
1 PARI Drive
Rosman, NC  28772
(828)862-5554
www.pari.edu